Imaging control apparatus and imaging control program for adjusting exposure time of a camera

Abstract

An imaging control apparatus is configured to detect a first object and a second object appearing on an image captured by a camera. The first object is higher in luminance than the second object. When the second object is not detected on the image, the imaging control apparatus works to adjusts an exposure time of the camera to a first exposure time which is used when the first object is detected. Alternatively. When the second object is detected, the imaging control apparatus adjusts the exposure time of the camera to a second exposure time which is longer than the first exposure time. This eliminates a failure in identifying colors on the image and also minimizes a risk of appearance of flicker on the image.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging control apparatus for a vehicle, the imaging control apparatus comprising:
 a detector which is configured to detect a first object and a second object which appear to be lit on an image captured by a camera, the second object being lower in luminance than the first object; and   an exposure time adjuster which, when the second object is not detected, adjusts an exposure time of the camera to a first exposure time which is used when the first object is detected and, when the second object is detected and when determining that the vehicle is on an expressway, adjusts the exposure time of the camera to a second exposure time which is longer than the first exposure time.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging control apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first object is a traffic light, and the second object is an electronic road sign. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging control apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a cycle in which the second object is lit is longer than that in which the first object is lit. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging control apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein when the first object and the second object are both appearing on the image, the exposure time adjuster serves to set the exposure time to the first exposure time. 
     
     
         5 . An imaging control apparatus comprising:
 an information obtainer which obtains information about a position of a vehicle; and   an exposure time adjuster which, when the information indicates that the vehicle is on a road other than an expressway, adjusts an exposure time of a camera mounted in the vehicle to a first exposure time used when a first object is detected as being lit on an image captured by the camera, the first exposure time being selected to be shorter than a second exposure time used when a second object which is lower in illuminance than the first object is detected as being lit on the image,   when the vehicle is on an expressway, the exposure time adjuster sets the exposure time of the camera to the second exposure time which is longer than the first exposure time.   
     
     
         6 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an imaging control program which actuates an imaging control apparatus for a vehicle to function as:
 a detector which works to detect a second object which appears on an image captured by a camera and is lower in luminance than a first object appearing on the image; and   an exposure time adjuster which, when the second object is not detected, adjusts an exposure time of the camera to a first exposure time which is used when the first object is detected and, when the second object is detected and when determining that the vehicle is on an expressway, adjusts the exposure time of the camera to a second exposure time which is longer than the first exposure time.   
     
     
         7 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an imaging control program which actuates an imaging control apparatus to function as:
 an information obtainer which obtains information about a position of a vehicle; and   an exposure time adjuster which, when the information indicates that the vehicle is on a road other than an expressway, adjusts an exposure time of a camera mounted in the vehicle to a first exposure time used when a first object is detected as being lit on an image captured by the camera, the first exposure time being selected to be shorter than a second exposure time used when a second object which is lower in illuminance than the first object is detected as being lit on the image,   when the vehicle is on an expressway, the exposure time adjuster sets the exposure time of the camera to the second exposure time which is longer than the first exposure time.